Welcome to Fifth Grade

My name is Kelly Adams. I grew up in Rhode Island, on a river in the woods. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Diplomatic History and a minor in Spanish. I moved to Boston after graduation and worked in Corporate America for 5 years. Then, I went back to school and received my Masters in Education from Tufts University. My first teaching job was in 2nd grade in Massachusetts. I moved to Arlington in 2005 and started teaching 5th grade at Jamestown Elementary School. In 2012 I switched to Ashlawn and love being and Ashlawn Eagle. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, running and of course teaching!

I am thrilled to be part of the Ashlawn staff. I grew up in a small city in Western Massachusetts. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and a Master of Education in Elementary Education. Since joining APS, I have also earned an endorsement as a Math Specialist and in Gifted Education. While not at school, I love running, biking, and swimming. I also love spending time with my three boys. We like being outdoors and watching football and hockey together. A book I remember most from my childhood was Where the Red Fern Grows. I love teaching at Ashlawn because of its welcoming feel and sense of community.

I grew up in Arlington and am a product of Arlington Public Schools. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Gifted Education from UNC-Wilmington. I have four children who keep me very busy! I love to read and my favorite book is Bridge To Terabithia. My favorite part of teaching at Ashlawn is our school spirit. It’s great to be an Eagle!

I grew up in neighboring Fairfax County and attended The College of William & Mary for my undergraduate degree. I recently graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with my Masters in Elementary Inclusive Education. As a native Virginian, I am excited to be back home after a few years in New York City. Outside of the classroom you can find me enjoying time with my family, attending as much community and professional theater as possible, and scouring the public library for more good books to get lost in. While my favorite fiction genres are fantasy and mystery, I love the children’s books Because of Mr. Terupt, Last Stop on Market Street, and anything by Jacqueline Woodson. This year I am looking forward to building community with my students, their families, and fellow staff to create an environment where everyone reaches their fullest potential as readers, writers, and global citizens!

Hi everyone! My name is Jennifer Lifland and I am super excited to be joining the Ashlawn staff this year on the 5th grade team! I love teaching 5th grade students and am excited to start my 7th year with my favorite age group! I am originally am from Morristown, NJ and made my way to Virginia by way of JMU, GO DUKES! I love to travel, run, and read in my free time, but my biggest hobby is being a HUGE Washington Capitals fan! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone! 🙂

With over 30 years experience in APS spanning every grade K-8, I am still very passionate about teaching! I am dually certified in special education (pre-K through 12) and general education (grades 3-6) with a Bachelors (BS) in Special Education from JMU (Go Dukes!) and a Masters (MA) in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. I enjoy cooking, knitting/crochet, walking, reading, and following sports, but most of all keeping up with my own 2 kids, Marie and David. A favorite book remains The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum as I still remember being rapt as a first grader when Miss Millard read it to our class. The best moments in teaching are when students notice their own growth, spiraling them to leaps of increased effort and achievement.

I am a special education teacher here at Ashlawn. My favorite part of being at Ashlawn is the amazing community support between students, staff, and families. I received my bachelors degree in Consumer Journalism at the University of Georgia and received my masters in Special Education: Learning Disabilities at American University in Washington DC. My favorite childhood book was Are You My Mother by Dr. Seuss. My whole family thought it was so funny, and I enjoyed reading it at night with my mom!